Friday, May 31, 2013

CDC: Travelers Health: A Novel Coronavirus Called "MERS-CoV" in the Arabian Peninsula

Updated: May 29, 2013

What Is the Current Situation?

Cases of respiratory illness caused by Middle East Respiratory
Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been identified in multiple
countries. MERS-CoV was previously called "novel coronavirus." For more
information, see CDC’s MERS website.

CDC does not recommend that anyone change their travel plans because
of these cases of MERS. CDC recommends that US travelers to countries in
or near the Arabian Peninsula*
monitor their health and see a doctor right away if they develop fever
and symptoms of lower respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of
breath. They should tell the doctor about their recent travel.

What Is a Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a cause of the common cold. A coronavirus also was
the cause of the severe respiratory illness called SARS (severe acute
respiratory syndrome). SARS caused a global epidemic in 2003, but there
have not been any known cases of SARS since 2004. MERS-CoV is not the
same coronavirus that caused SARS.

What Is Known About MERS-CoV?

MERS-CoV is different from any other coronavirus that has been
previously found in people. Symptoms of MERS have included fever, cough,
and shortness of breath. CDC is working with the World Health
Organization and other partners to understand the public health risks
from this virus.

How Can Travelers Protect Themselves?

Taking these everyday actions can help prevent the spread of germs and protect against colds, flu, and other illnesses:

Be sure you are up-to-date with all of your shots, and if
possible, see your healthcare provider at least 4–6 weeks before travel
to get any additional shots. Visit CDC’s Travelers' Healthwebsite for more information on healthy travel.

If you are sick

Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue in the trash.

Avoid contact with other people to keep from infecting them.

When Should Someone See a Health Care Provider?

You should see a health care provider if you develop a fever and
symptoms of lower respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of
breath, within 10 days after traveling from countries in or near the
Arabian Peninsula*. You should tell the health care provider about your recent travel.

Clinician Information:

Health care providers should be alert to patients who develop
severe acute lower respiratory illness (e.g., requiring
hospitalization) within 10 days after traveling from countries in the
Arabian Peninsula* or neighboring countries, excluding those who transited at airports.

Consider other more common causes of respiratory illness, such as influenza.

Immediately report patients with unexplained respiratory illness
and who meet CDC’s criteria for “patient under investigation” to CDC
through the state or local health department.

Consider evaluating patients for MERS-CoV infection who:

Develop severe acute lower respiratory illness of known etiology within 10 days after traveling from the Arabian Peninsula,* but who do not respond to appropriate therapy

Develop severe acute lower respiratory illness who are
close contacts of a symptomatic traveler who developed fever and acute
respiratory illness within 10 days after traveling from the Arabian
Peninsula.*